Hot or Not: Maxistrike Hammer

The Maxistrike hammer may look like a reject from Dr. Seuss’s private hardware store, but that’s on purpose — the neck’s arc supposedly limits over-strike damage by presenting an angled (as opposed to straight) surface to the wood below. The manufacturer also claims its unique shape brings the head’s weight forward, much like the ever-popular Estwing.

Besides the curvy neck, the Maxstrike also sports a padded grip that’s injected moulded directly onto the forged handle, and the grip includes four “finger channels” for comfort and additional gripping power.

But seriously — a curved neck? It may be a great hammer, but I’m having a hell of a time getting over that neck. Have any of you tried this sucker out? Or just have some strong opinions about it? Let us know in comments.

Seems like a gimmick. If you’re gonna bash the neck on whatever you’re hammering, then a small curve in it is only gonna delay the neck-strike. Plus it looks like it’s got a “knife edge” to it. I think some medieval weapons have that same shape to improve the slicing action….haha.

i love this frigin thing for my field of work wich is the industrial/commercial door industry. Its relativley compact but delievers a good solid hit and allows to hit around obstacles in many cases. i was so pissed when i lost mine and i have not bought a new hammer cuz i cant find this one!! I strongly agree with Bryan Raeburn.

My son is a carpenter and does a lot of first fix, he is hard on all of his tools, especially abusive to hammers. He used a couple of the big name American hammers and 2 years was the best life before the rubber on the handles slowly breaks up and or the heads chip. As I mentioned he is really hard on his tools. His Maxistrike has lasted 4 years abuse without any damage whatsover. Secondly these hammers for some reason hit really hard. I don’t know the scientific reasons why but more force seems to transfer to the hammer head.

I agree with L.Bament and others; these hammers are fantastic. I have been using one for at least 5 years. I put it through serious punishment nearly every day. Just love it and would find it hard to go back to anything else. Brilliant for going places that a standard hammer just can’t reach. would buy another in a heartbeat. If anyone has info of a supplier, particularly here in Oz, please share. Thanks

Once you try this hammer – you’ll never ask for any other !
It is a great hammer, only it is shame you can’t buy it regularly in shops, the Redback company collapsed for some reasons.
The only thing I would like if the black rubber on handle has brighter colour, but I paint mine in red.

I was fortunate to buy one of these 15 years ago when they had a red rubber handle. It is still the best hammer i have ever had. If you ever have to skew nail roof trusses or rafters you will know why there is a bend in the shaft. For framing and general construction best thing since sliced bread.

Best hammer ever I have had mine for 15 years I’m a carpenter so it gets a bit of a work out and by far the best hemmed I have ever had Iv been a chippy for 20 years and I have had 2 eastwings then I got a REDBACK and I will not ever go back

Best Hammer Ever!… As a chippy I have used many a hammer, you name it I’ve probably owned it, then there was that faithful day 11 years ago when I found one of these bad boys in Bunnings and since then I have never looked back, it’s all I use, I actually had to buy another off the RedBack site 6yrs ago cause another chippy left my first one under a deck in another town whilst packing up site and didn’t notice until I got home and when I went to Bunnings I was informed that they stop stocking it… Seriously I give it a 15/10, one of the neat aspects of the hammer that I found is that it can rest comfortably on my shoulder which is handy while balancing and nailing off ceiling sheets making easily reachable when needed… I’ve swapped to an electrical trade but I still make sure that my RedBack is part of my tool set on site

I brought this hammer and I love it so much I got it just over 8 years ago and now to ray it snapped straight in half I was so up set iv been looking so hard to fine a new one to bye and can not find one please if anyone knows where to still get one please let me know